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strained — [streınd] adj 1.) a strained situation or behaviour is not relaxed, natural, or friendly = ↑tense ▪ I couldn t stand the strained atmosphere at dinner any more. ▪ the increasingly strained relations between the French and German governments 2.)… … Dictionary of contemporary English

strained — [ streınd ] adjective 1. ) not relaxed or friendly: Relations between the two countries are strained. a strained atmosphere/silence 2. ) not natural and produced with some effort: Zoe felt horribly anxious but managed to force a strained smile. 3 … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English